To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the minimum Code for Sustainable Homes standard will be for private sector homes built in eco-towns; and what the minimum standard is for new sector private housing built in other areas. (251724)

The standards homes built in eco-towns must reach, are set out in the draft Eco-towns Planning Policy Statement (PPS), published for consultation on 4 November 2008. Copies of the draft PPS are available in the House Library.

Building regulation sets the minimum standards for house building. The Code for Sustainable Homes is a voluntary standard for new private sector housing, unless there is a planning requirement as set out by the Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change (supplement to PPS 1).